Deborah and Barak's Song. Judges 5

 

Judges 5. Deborah and Barak’s Song

 

Deborah was one of the outstanding judges. She far exceeded Othniel in ability. Deborah had to agree to go with him before he was willing to go and battle the enemy. After the battle Deborah and Barak sang a song that was one of the first songs of the human race. The song mentions Shamgar. He was the judge that used an ox goad. He had judged during a time of lawlessness and grave immorality. It was not safe to walk the highways; travelers walked through the byways because it was not safe to take the main route.

Then her song mentions the lack of leadership. Rulers had ceased to rule. Because of her desire, she became a judge in Israel.  She stepped out and took the lead in a day where her nation had denied God. Deborah did not want her children to grow up this way and that is why she stepped out as she did.

After Israel’s victory over the enemy, Deborah once again tells Barak to take command. But he does not take charge. The tribe of Issachar was the only Israelite tribe that stood with Deborah and Barak. In her song she curses Meroz, of whom we don’t know anything about. She cursed him because he did not come to help the work of the Lord.

Deborah reveals her mothers’ heart by remembering Sisera. He had a mother. And even though she extols Jael for what she did, she thinks of Sisera’s mother. The mother of Sisera knew in her heart what had happened. She knew he had been slain. The heart of Deborah went out to her because she was a mother. What a picture we have of Deborah in her song!

 

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J. Vernon McGee Commentary and New King James Bible.